The transition from 2025 to 2026 in Trichy was marred by unprecedented public disorder and severe traffic violations, with the crucial Cauvery river bridge becoming the epicenter of chaos. The vital link connecting Srirangam island to the Trichy mainland witnessed alarming levels of rule-breaking, leading to massive gridlocks that even trapped emergency vehicles.
Night of Reckless Revelry on Cauvery Bridge
On the intervening night, the area around the Cauvery bridge experienced severe congestion as large crowds gathered. The situation deteriorated rapidly as numerous revellers abandoned their two-wheelers on the roadside, drastically narrowing the carriageway. In a dangerous trend, many individuals stopped on the road to take selfies, causing further disruptions to the flow of traffic.
The chaos was not confined to the bridge alone. Across Trichy city, groups of youths congregated on roads, shouting and celebrating wildly. A common sight was riders without helmets carrying three or more people on a single motorcycle. This reckless behaviour resulted in prolonged traffic jams, affecting all forms of transport including cars, autorickshaws, vans, and buses, with several vehicles stuck for extended periods. Most critically, even ambulances were caught in the gridlock, raising serious safety concerns.
Firecrackers, Sunroof Shouts and Police Response
Adding to the peril, some youths burst powerful firecrackers like skyshots and laris directly on the roads, creating sudden distractions and slowing traffic further. The disorder escalated as people climbed onto road medians to scream at passing vehicles, while others in luxury cars stood through open sunroofs, shouting at fellow commuters.
Senior police officials, led by City Police Commissioner N Kamini, rushed to the Cauvery bridge to personally regulate the traffic. Officials documented the violations thoroughly. "We have captured photographs and videos of the violators, including their motorcycles and registration numbers. We will identify everyone involved in breaching rules across the city, register appropriate cases, and impose stringent punishment," Commissioner Kamini told TOI.
Cultural Concern and Separate Drug Bust
Commenting on the evolving nature of celebrations, K P Rangaprasad, joint secretary of Satta Panchayat Iyakkam (SPI), expressed deep concern. "The way festivals are being celebrated is evolving into a troubling culture. Public revelry is increasingly aggravated by drug and alcohol consumption among young people," he said. He suggested that the Cauvery river bridge, being a key arterial road, should be declared a 'no zone' for celebrations, parking, or gatherings to prevent future chaos.
In a separate but related operation highlighting the issue of substance abuse, Trichy police arrested at least 12 people for illegally peddling tapentadol tablets in various parts of the city. Authorities seized tablets valued at approximately Rs 20,000, along with syringes and saline water bottles. Cases were registered at three police stations: Golden Rock, KK Nagar, and Woraiyur.
